Benton Academy made a strong statement to open the 2017 season by scoring 40 points in three quarters for a 40-0 win over Delta Streets.
Bruner Chandler scored three touchdowns to lead the Raiders offensive attack.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first minutes of the game on a wet and muddy field, but Chandler broke loose for a 22-yard touchdown to give the Raiders a 6-0 lead with 1:24 to go in the first quarter.
Cole Ables made a tackle for a loss to start the second quarter, and Shelton Appleton followed up with a sack to bring up third and long for the Lions.
Harris Dooley returned the punt to the Lions’ 25 yard line with 9:26 left in the second quarter. Dooley followed up with a first down carry before handing off to Chandler, who advanced all the way to the two yard line.
Chandler then punched in the two-yard touchdown, and Dooley added the two-point conversion run for a 14-0 lead with 8:26 to go in the second quarter.
The Raiders defense held the Lions on the next drive, and Chandler scored a 23-yard touchdown on the first play of the series.
Tristan Trott added the two-point conversion for a 22-0 lead with 6:37 to go before halftime.
The Raiders defense continued to dominate, and with 5:43 left in the half, Zac Nesbit and Joseph Mills made a stop in the endzone for a safety, giving the Raiders a 24-0 lead.
Chandler returned the kickoff after the safety all the way to the 10-yard line, and Cody Prescott scored a four-yard touchdown with 4:16 to go in the half. Dooley tacked on two points on a keeper for a 32-0 lead.
Less than two minutes later Ashton Blake Kelly made a big hit to knock the ball loose, and Appleton came up with the fumble to put the Raiders back in business on the Lions’ 36 yard line.
Early in the third quarter Prescott had a big gain to the seven yard line, and Appleton followed up with a six-yard rush.
Dooley scored the one-yard touchdown on a quarterback sneak and added the two-point conversion for the 40-0 lead with 6:51 to go in the third.
This week the Raiders travel to Farmerville, La. to face Union Christian Academy in a non-conference game. The Lions are off to a 0-1 start after a 36-12 loss to Prairie View Academy in the season opener.
